anyone know stratford on avon / warwick pls

jema_2

hi- ideas pls
I'm driving from south coast early in morning to avoid traffic to meet friends at Charlecote Park-south of Warwick - we're going to hopefully be in the area 2 hrs early - any one know any where nice to go & kill a couple of hours some where in the vicinity or on the top of A44 / a3400 / a429 - never been to that area - ideal sort of place would be somewhere children can run about & explore / water sports lake / canal / river / some where to sit & watch ... have a snooze to make up for v. early morning start... ideas please - even better if cafe & wc's
thx J.

elisebutt65

Pop into Leamington Spa and park up - 1.80 for 2 hours parking at the mo and spend the time at Jephson Gardens My kids love it here - we go and feed the ducks whilst they climb trees, get ice creams. Over the road is the Art Gallery/Library/Royal Pump Rooms with a cafe, and of course you get to see lovely Leam whilst you're there.

Oh and they have pedaloes around the back of the gardens in a little lake bit they have separated off from the river

beautifulgorgeous_2

Nice park in the middle of Stratford with a little ferry to cross the river , about 30 p last time I used it, probably nearer a quid now!. Carpark pretty expensive or go straight to Charlcote and park up and enjoy the extra time there. If you are not National Trust members then you can get a family day pass from brit trips with walkers crisps. 72 bags for 6quid in Asda with enough points for two passes or 42 bags in tesco for just over 3quid and enough points for one voucher.

jema_2

thanks - J.

flossy_splodge

If I'm not too late would def suggest Stratford. Charlecote is slightly nearer there than Leam and MUCH nicer. I live between the two and would not dream of recomending Jephson gardens to anyone- too full of druggies and winos quite frankly and as to parking - if you are so much as a minuite late back to your car you're likely to have been done.
There's also the watermill at Wellesbourne which is really close to Charlecote.
Hope this might help.x:T